In a news release Tuesday, San Francisco-based company Cloud Engines, Inc. announced in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission the voluntary recall of its Pogoplug Video file sharing device due to a fire hazard.
According to the release, the file sharing device, which is used to stream and share videos, photos and music as well as provide remote access to files store on drives attached to the device, can overheat or catch fire resulting in excessive heat, sparks, smoke or flames being emitted from the unit. Three reports have been lodged with Cloud Engines regarding the affected file sharing devices: one unit caught fire, one emitted smoke, and a third device melted, damaging the desk on which it was resting.
About 9,500 units in the United States and 1,500 units in Canada are subject to recall. The file sharing device is a black, desktop electronics box that is about 2.5 inches wide, 7 inches deep, and 5.5 inches tall. The word “Pogoplug” appears on the side of the device, and “Model: Pogoplug Video” appears on a label on the bottom of the file sharing device. The units were sold in stores and online for about $200 from March 2011 through June 2011 at Adorama, B&H, Best Buy, Buy.com, J&R, Pogoplug.com, New Egg, and Sony Style.
Consumers are advised to immediately stop using and unplug the file sharing devices and contact Cloud Engines to either receive a refund or a replacement device.
As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I encourage anyone who owns one of the file sharing devices to return or replace it as soon as possible to avoid injury or damage to property.